Carbing a vortec?

[NastyNate32]

My truck has a good ol 350 small block with a ton of miles and a turbo 400 tranny. I'm going for decent power and gas mileage so I put a '73 drivetrain under it to lose the 4:.10 gearing. I can get a 96 vortec/4l60e for $600 but with no harness or ECM. What are the benefits if I just intake/carb it? Does that tranny help with mileage? Is that motor even a step up? Any advice is appreciated. Thanks

[Ronaldo]

I carbed a 91 350 vortec. Its 9.5 to 1 comp with hyperutectic flattops and bored 30 over. Just get the motor and bolt it up to your th400. It will be bad ass. Dump the stock distributor, intake. Keep the serpentine set up with the fan. Its a direct bolt in. All u need is an edelbrock 2104 intake with the 2 straight bolts on each side,and an HEI.
I use mine in a 74 shorty 4X4 to plow snow, its got an mild RV cam and has lots of low end torque.
Just get it. dont be shy. it'll work fine.
Ron

[Ronaldo]

96 might be a little different..

[ol'blazer]

i have vortec heads on my sb. with a 700r4 tranny and 3.73s in the rear. great set up for me

[truckster]

A 97 Vortec is going in mine. Manifold, as mentioned above, HEI, and Quadrajet.

I'm pretty sure the 4L60E requires a computer to make it work.

[ol'blazer]

Originally Posted by truckster

A 97 Vortec is going in mine. Manifold, as mentioned above, HEI, and Quadrajet.

I'm pretty sure the 4L60E requires a computer to make it work.

i heard the wont shift from second without the computer... thats why i went with the 700.

[chevy88]

Check transmission length of what's in your truck now as a 200-4r could save you shortening driveshaft, definitely don't go with 4l60e as you would need computer for it to work.

[luvbowties]

Originally Posted by Ronaldo

96 might be a little different..

The '96 has all the pros of your '91 PLUS quite likely the "good" vortec heads. Of course, the roller cams do wonders for these engines vs. the older "good ol 350's" with the flat tappet cam.
It's almost unbelievable how easy it is to spin these engines over, after rebuild and still on engine stand, by torquing on the harmonic balancer--of course, with the plugs out! They have so much less friction than the older ones that one might think he has incorrect rings installed!
As others have pointed out, the 4L60E will require an elec. controller to operate it: these controllers cost more than a good used 700R4, which shifts fine with no controller or computer required.
I have such a combo in my '66 and it performs flawlessly, even still using stock cam. With the low(high numeric)1st gear in the 700, it has oodles of low-end torque for super strong take-offs. BTW: even with miles on it, my crank AND cylinders mic'd dead-on stock!
HTH, & good deal on that engine [assuming it is indeed good].
Sam

[MARKDTN]

87-95 is a Throttle body not a Vortec. The Vortec is 96-99. You must have a computer to run a 4L60E.

I would buy a harness and computer for the pair and go from there. The Vortec engines are quite peppy. The only real issue they have is intake gaskets leaking over time. The physical installation is similar to any TPI, TBI, or LT1 (with exceptions) with 700R4 or 4L60E. You need a high pressure fuel pump and plumbing. The regular SB mounts and exhaust will bolt up. You can use a stock radiator. You can use stock SB accessories.

[hugger6933]

If you do just put a carb and hei on that vortec it will be quite "peppy" as my dad calls it. but the later trans the 4l60E the E part being electronic is computer controlled and by the time you could purchase the stand alone trans computer you could have had a hole wiring system for the complete thing. The benifits to the OD are worth the cost on the front end. I have a 350 with vortec heads and it has beed documented by almost every magizine that does anything with chevys that the vortec heads will give you 40 hp over the regular small block head so it is def worth putting that motor in your truck and I also think that finding the wiring is worth the search as well. Maybe call some of the salvage yards in your area that do trucks and tell them what your looking for, most yards cut all of the harnesses,at my shop we sell them like I would like to get them all plugs unplugged and in tact with the PCM still hooked up to the motor wiring and laid across the top of the motor. I am not tryiong to offer anything for sale just making a point but if you call some guys and they have a truck in the fresh kill area they might take the harness off of the motor for you or sell it to you to pull or something to get you in a harness/PCM combo. that is worth a shot. Jim

[67 chevelle]

If its in good running condition thats a great deal , as mentioned you need an "vortec specific" intake manifold , I would sell the 4l60e , e for electronic , and get a 2004r if you want lower highway rpm , if you have a short shaft 4oo its a direct replacement , 400s came in 3 lengths . The 96 vortec truck 350 has the indication of l31 , they are famous for power and long life .

[Unionwelder]

Edelbrock Torker 2 manifold and holly in my 34' with a 96 vortec. Turbo 400 though so I didn't need all the computer stuff.

[NastyNate32]

Thanks for all the replies guys. I'm an idiot for not knowing the e stands for electronic. I'm still searching for a reasonable harness and ECM before I give up on the fuel injection. I've seen some ECM's on Ebay for around $80-$100, used. Would these work without having them flashed? I'm just guessing but I will think I would have to have it flashed to show correct miles at least. Thanks again for all the replies!

[67 chevelle]

Originally Posted by NastyNate32

Thanks for all the replies guys. I'm an idiot for not knowing the e stands for electronic. I'm still searching for a reasonable harness and ECM before I give up on the fuel injection. I've seen some ECM's on Ebay for around $80-$100, used. Would these work without having them flashed? I'm just guessing but I will think I would have to have it flashed to show correct miles at least. Thanks again for all the replies!

I would look for a harness in the junkyard or on ebay and have it reworked , and computer reflash , should be simple and resonable , as they were not as complicated back in 96 , as the newer ls stuff is . Speartech has a great reputation , I use curent performance here in florida , as they are close , and have done right by me

[Sammy]

Regardless computer or not don't forget provisions for an electric fuel pump. Mechanical pump provisions are not available without some extensive engine modifications.

[BigRed76]

A '96 Vortec small block should have the provision for a mechanical fuel pump, with a block off plate on it. '97-up Vortec small blocks do not. That motor is a step up from previous small blocks as far as stock power and driveability...when fuel injected. You won't loose and power switching to a carburetor, but it won't exactly be "fuel efficient".